Latest issueAlabama visits LSU on Saturday, and the Saban Center lands a STEM grantRead now

Tuscaloosa TodaySubscribe — it’s free

← Tuscaloosa news

EducationMonday, November 2

The Saban Center gets a $251,939.59 state grant to grow STEM programs in West Alabama

The Tuscaloosa Today teamFrom today’s edition · 1 min read · 3 sources

ShareEmailFacebookX

If you have a student or teacher in West Alabama, this one's for you. The , part of the Alabama Department of Workforce, announced the money for the Saban Center on Oct. 15. It will go toward professional development, programmatic materials, curriculum and staffing support.

$251,939.59from the Alabama STEM Council for the Saban Center

The grant pays for curriculum, hands-on supplies, outreach materials and staff support.

Sources: The Crimson White, Tuscaloosa Thread, WVUA 23

The center is under construction downtown, but the work has started. Education coordinator Taylor Lamon said it's already working with pilot schools and building ties with Tuscaloosa City Schools, Tuscaloosa County Schools, Hale County and area charter schools.

“We’re not waiting until the doors open in 2028 to begin working with students and teachers.”

Taylor Lamon, education coordinator at the Saban Center
  • Focus areas: robotics, AI, electric vehicles, virtual reality
  • Other state STEM hubs: McWane (Birmingham), Cook Museum (Decatur)
  • Under one roof: STEM Hub, Tuscaloosa Children's Theatre,

The Saban Center is one of three state STEM hubs and opens in 2028

Oct. 15
when the council announced the grant
3
state-designated STEM hubs in Alabama
Spring 2028
when the Saban Center is expected to open

Sources: The Crimson White, Tuscaloosa Thread, WVUA 23

Sources: The Crimson White, Tuscaloosa Thread, WVUA 23

Read it in the full edition

More from today’s edition

Read the edition
FootballAlabama visits LSU on Sat., Nov. 7, with the Tigers favored by 3.5 to 4.5 pointsIf you're planning your Saturday around football, here's the setup. No. 9 Alabama (6-2, 4-2 SEC) visits No. 15 LSU (6-2, 3-2 SEC) at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, with kickoff at 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC. Both teams are coming off a bye week.Today’s editionRead FootballAlabama sits No. 9 in the Coaches Poll after a bye as another No. 2 team fallsAlabama sat idle last weekend and still has a ranked game ahead. The Crimson Tide is No. 9 in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll, and LSU is No. 15. Miami leads with 68 first-place votes, Georgia and Kentucky also drew first-place votes, and Alabama got none.Today’s editionRead

More schools from local newsrooms

All schools news

  1. The Crimson White10 hours ago

    Saban Center secures state funding to expand STEM education

    The Saban Center received nearly $252,000 from the Alabama STEM Council to expand hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics education for students and educators across West Alabama. The Alabama STEM Council announced the $251,939.59 investment on Oct. 15. The council, which is part of the Alabama Department of Workforce, said the funding will support curriculum...

  2. The Crimson White10 hours ago

    University launches Project LIFT program for young readers

    The University of Alabama is launching Project LIFT, a five-year program to train teachers in 75 rural Alabama elementary schools to help struggling readers, including students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The U.S. Department of Education is funding the project with a $9.9 million grant, and the University is contributing faculty time as cost-share, bringing...

    Also reported byWBMA